Generic is a medication created to be the same as a brand-name drug in safety, dosage, strength, quality and performance. They contain identical active ingredients but are typically more affordable as they enter the market after the patent on the original product has expired.
Phase III trials are large-scale, final-stage clinical trials in human subjects that evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new treatment compared to standard treatment.
Bioequivalent means that it contains the same active ingredient that delivers the same amount of medication to the bloodstream at the same rate and extent as the originator making it therapeutically equivalent.
Peptide is a short chain of amino acids that function as signalling molecules in the body, regulating processes such as metabolism, immune function and inflammation.
Agonist is a substance that binds to a cell receptor and activates it, thereby triggering a biological response.
What is
semagard
indicated for?
Semagard is indicated:3
For the treatment of adults with poorly controlled
type 2 diabetes mellitus as an ‘add-on’ to diet and exercise
- Either as a single treatment on its own when metformin is contraindicated or not tolerated
- Or as a combination treatment with oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) e.g. metformin or basal insulin
± metformin or pre-mix insulin
Who can use semagard?
Semagard should NOT BE USED in:3
- People with type 1 diabetes mellitus
- People with a personal or family history of thyroid carcinoma
- Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Uncontrolled diabetic retinopathy (visual problems associated with
poorly controlled diabetes)
HOW DOES SEMAGARD WORK?
Semagard mimics the natural hormone, GLP-1, in your body to regulate your blood sugar levels.
It does this by binding to receptors in your pancreas, liver, stomach and brain.
Pancreas
Semagard stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows your body to use the food you eat for energy. It lowers the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If you don’t have enough insulin or your insulin doesn’t work properly, your blood sugar increases, leading to diabetes.
Liver
Semagard also blocks the secretion of glucagon by the pancreas. Glucagon is a hormone your body uses to raise your blood sugar levels when needed. By blocking glucagon, Semagard prevents more glucose from entering your blood stream.
Stomach
Semagard slows down
stomach emptying, which results in slower digestion.
The slower digestion means that less glucose from the food you eat is released into your bloodstream, which helps to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Brain
Semagard also affects
the hunger and satiety
centre in the brain, lowering your appetite and hunger,
which results in reduced
food intake and subsequently you may also lose weight.
Satiety is the feeling of fullness and satisfaction after eating, which inhibits the desire to consume more food.
What is semagard indicated for?
It lowers your fasting blood
glucose levels1
It helps prevent glucose spikes after eating1
It improves your long-term glucose control (measured by your HbA1c)1
Semagard is a once-a-week, subcutaneous injection that is easy to self-administer3
Consistent glucose control helps to prevent the long-term complications of diabetes such as nerve complications in your hands and feet, kidney problems, visual problems, erectile dysfunction problems5
A decrease in weight is one of the potential side effects of Semagard3
What are the POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS of using semagard?
The most frequently reported side effects are gastrointestinal e.g. nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.3
Other gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, acid reflux, burping, flatulence and gallstones may occur.3
Dizziness and fatigue are other common side effects.3
When Semagard is used with insulin, sulphonylurea or other oral diabetic medications there is an increased risk of hypoglycaemia.3
Hypoglycaemia is when the blood sugar levels drop below a healthy range (< 3,9 mmol/L)
Are there any safety
concerns when using semagard?
- In rodents, semaglutide caused dose-dependent and treatment duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumours. It is unknown whether semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumours, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as no cases have been reported.3
- Semaglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).3 Alert your healthcare professional immediately if you notice any of these symptoms: a mass in the neck, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, persistent hoarse voice.
- Acute pancreatitis has been reported with the use of semaglutide. Symptoms include sudden, intense upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, nausea, vomiting, fever and a rapid heart rate. 3 Alert your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Alert your healthcare professional if you experience any changes in eyesight such as: 3 blurred vision, dark spots or floaters, poor night vision and blank areas in your vision
Disclaimer: This page provides general guidance on the use, storage, and safety of the product for the patients who have been prescribed this medicine by a registered medical practitioner. This shall neither be construed as a Promotional Activity nor constitute as medical advice. Since, this is solely for educational purposes, the contents hereof shall not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation. Anyone accessing this website shall be bound by these terms and the Company shall bear no responsibility or liability for any use of the product without a valid prescription or for any misuse arising from non adherence to prescribed instructions. Users must follow the directions provided in the Patient Information Leaflet and the advice of their treating Registered Medical Practitioner.